On May 20, 2025, social media users shared video clips and accounts from a TikTok user describing a join-tour diving experience near Koh Laan in Pattaya, Chonburi Province that ended in disaster when they encountered severe waves and a sudden storm at sea, sparking criticism over marine tourism safety protocols.

Other social media users claiming to have been present reported that many tourists were forced to help themselves because there were insufficient staff to assist, while some staff responses were considered inappropriate, generating further online backlash.

According to the original poster, she traveled to Koh Laan with her sister from another province and decided on May 4 to purchase a join-tour diving package as no other tour options were available. She recounted that after the boat reached the diving site, everyone entered the water normally without any weather warnings or storm alerts, despite already visible high waves and strong winds.

Approximately 10 minutes after entering the water, a staff member supervising tourists swam back to the boat and announced an incoming storm. A nearby tour boat immediately brought its tourists out of the water, but her group was left floating in the sea. As waves intensified, tourists struggled to climb aboard an increasingly rocking vessel while life buoys were swept away by waves, causing some to exhaust themselves fighting the currents and swallow seawater.

The woman reported that when her sister sought help from a jet ski operator, she was told to hold onto a buoy—even as strong waves pulled her underwater. She eventually released the buoy and swam to another boat by herself. The poster and her boyfriend were swept toward another vessel, where they were safely rescued. She acknowledged the experience as "a moment of life and death" as the wind continuously intensified, though rain had not yet fallen heavily.

The poster noted that despite many children participating in the marine activities that day, there were no clear evacuation warnings or orders. Some families kept their children clinging to floating toys in the sea unaware a storm was approaching.

Only after rain began and the storm worsened did jet ski operators gradually retrieve children back to boats, with some crying in shock. The poster called for marine tourism operators to enhance safety measures, including advance weather alerts, appropriate staff-to-tourist ratios, and timely emergency response protocols.

While no injuries or fatalities occurred, she expressed disappointment and noted she had not received any apology or explanation from boat staff or dive trip coordinators since the incident.

KANCHANABURI — May 20, 2026: A car collided with a wild elephant and burst into flames on a major highway in Kanchanaburi province, killing a 70-year-old man and injuring two others, police said.

On Wednesday, the Deputy Inspector of Investigation at Lat Ya Police Station reported that the accident occurred on Highway 323 heading toward Mueang Kanchanaburi District in Moo 9, Wang Dong Sub-district at approximately 9 p.m. Tuesday. Emergency responders, including medical personnel from Paholpolpayuhasena Hospital, forensics units, Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary officials, and rescue workers, quickly arrived at the scene.

Despite streetlights in the area, the crash site was poorly illuminated. Authorities found a Toyota Corolla with Kanchanaburi plates on the roadside, its front completely demolished by impact. Fire spread rapidly from the crushed engine compartment through the passenger cabin before firefighters extinguished the blaze.

Chukiat, a 70-year-old passenger, was found dead in the front seat and later transferred to Paholpolpayuhasena Hospital. Two others were injured: driver Charn, 64, and rear-seat passenger Supanutt, 74. The damaged vehicle was towed to Lat Ya Police Station for further investigation.

Investigations revealed the vehicle driven by Charn was traveling from Sai Yok District toward downtown Kanchanaburi when, in complete darkness, one or more wild elephants from Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary crossed the highway. The elephant had left the protected forest, crossed the Khwae Yai River, and ventured onto the road in search of food. While the vehicle was completely destroyed, the elephant's condition following the crash remains unknown.

Wildlife collisions are common on Highway 3199, which connects Kanchanaburi to Si Sawat, but this marks the first recorded fatal incident of its kind on Highway 323.

Nakhon Ratchasima — Recent heavy rainfall has driven porcupines down from mountain forests to water sources for breeding, prompting many villagers to hunt and sell them for income. However, some residents have been illegally setting traps throughout the forest, threatening rapid population decline and potential extinction. Setting traps within protected forest areas constitutes a serious criminal offense.

Nong Teng and Khao Yai Protected Forests, located in Chaloem Phrakiat District, Nakhon Ratchasima, cover approximately 10,206 rai and are predominantly mixed deciduous forest rich in teak, rosewood, and other valuable timber. The area also hosts Nakhon Ratchasima Airport (Nong Teng). During this rainy season, the district mobilized multiple agencies to destroy the numerous traps.

A Facebook user named Wiwik Suwanna posted about the operation, noting that forestry officers, police, and volunteers destroyed many animal traps in the protected area, though work continues as traps remain in multiple locations. The post appealed to locals not to set traps, as offenders face prosecution under the Wildlife Protection and Preservation Act B.E. 2562 and the National Forest Reserve Act.

District Chief Putt Pongsapeepon coordinated the May 19, 2569 operation, deploying 40 personnel including forest officers, police, and volunteers. He emphasized serious legal consequences for illegal trapping and urged residents accessing the forest to obtain proper permits rather than trespass illegally.

Gold prices on May 20, 2026 have seen a sharp decline across all 10 announcements released by the Gold Traders Association today. The latest announcement marks the 10th update, with ornamental gold selling at 70,050 baht per gram. Compared to yesterday's close on May 19, ornamental gold has dropped 950 baht per gram. According to the Gold Traders Association's official website update at 10:08 AM, gold bars are quoted at 69,050 baht per gram for buyback and 69,250 baht per gram for selling. Ornamental gold (96.5% purity) is offered at 67,674.24 baht per gram for buyback and 70,050 baht per gram for selling. Global gold spot prices currently stand at $4,464.00 per ounce. Throughout the day's 10 announcements, prices have continuously declined, with ornamental gold starting at 70,400 baht per gram in the first announcement and falling to 70,050 baht per gram by the 10th. Industry experts predict that gold prices may surge 1,000-2,000 baht per gram when markets open tomorrow, potentially breaking through 80,000 baht per gram.

At 9:25 a.m. on May 20, 2025, at Parliament, Suppanat Minchaiyanan, a Bangkok MP from the People's Party and chairman of the House Transport Committee, announced before the meeting that the committee would discuss the train-bus collision at the Asoke-Din Daeng intersection. He invited all relevant agencies including the directors-general of Rail Transport and Land Transport departments, the Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning Office, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), the Road Safety Fund Committee, the Insurance Commission, the Police Bureau, Makkasan police station commander, the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, and Bangkok's Traffic and Transport Office.

Suppanat stated that the meeting must establish all facts completely. Recent reports indicate that the train operator was on board and positioned at the front of the train, so the committee needs to verify this. He also questioned whether the railway signal system meets adequate safety standards and whether there are systems beyond red flags to warn drivers in advance of obstacles ahead. He emphasized the need to first address these specific issues before expanding to broader traffic and accident problems in the area.

Suppanat noted that conflicting information persists, particularly regarding braking distance estimates ranging from 200 meters to 2 kilometers. He expressed regret that the State Railway Labor Union was not invited to this meeting but indicated they could be summoned later if additional facts emerge. He stated that the union's statement would be presented for review and that the Central Land Transport Department director, attending today's meeting, should provide complete clarification as they are already investigating the matter. If questions remain or new issues arise, another meeting can be scheduled.

King Eggs has partnered with Advance Vending, a subsidiary of Advance Web Service Public Company Limited, to launch an automated egg vending machine business targeting 10,000 locations within three years. Chanuwat Sivamokkh, chairman of King Eggs (Thailand) Limited, explained that the "Farm to Table" model through "King Eggs Vending Machine" elevates fresh egg sales using smart technology, connecting consumers directly with the farm and reducing supply chain complexity to meet the lifestyle needs of urban consumers seeking freshness, convenience, and ease.

The company has already installed 100 machines across Bangkok condominiums and communities with positive reception, and plans to grow the vending machine business to approximately 10% of company revenue initially. Egg packages are sold in portions of 2 eggs for 17 baht, 6 eggs for 48 baht, and 10 eggs for 79 baht, with a promotional campaign offering eggs at 1 baht per egg to introduce customers to fresh farm eggs.

Sivamokkh noted that the company invested comprehensively in machine infrastructure, backend systems, quality control, stock refill systems, inventory tracking, and consumer experience. The company utilizes IoT technology to manage farm environments and vending machines in real-time, monitoring conditions from farm to transport to machine status and inventory levels. The business also emphasizes GMP and HACCP standards throughout production, sorting, packaging, transport, and distribution, enabling full traceability and assuring consumers of clean, fresh, safe products.

Viroj Siriratanarak, CEO of Advance Web Service Public Company Limited, noted that the partnership with King Eggs exemplifies how technology elevates Thai agriculture for modern consumers. He stated that automated vending machines are evolving beyond simple retail into Smart Retail Platforms that seamlessly connect producers and consumers, offering 24-hour access while meeting consumer demands for quality, cleanliness, freshness, and product transparency.